Control Top Pantyhose

ABSTRACT

A pair of control top pantyhose includes a panty portion connected to two leg portions. The panty portion is made of a reinforced segment and a non-reinforced segment integrally knitted together. The reinforced segment encircles the body of a wearer and substantially covers the abdomen. The non-reinforced segment covers the crotch of the wearer.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority to the U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/726,551 titled “CONTROL TOP PANTYHOSE”, which was filed on Mar. 18,2010.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to control top pantyhose with or withoutfoot, in particular to control top pantyhose with a non-reinforcedcrotch area to provide comfort to the wearer.

For years people have been concerned about slimming down or smoothingand sculpting the undesirable body bulges by wearing tight girdles,shapewear, or control top pantyhose. These tight garments place a greatamount of compressive force on the body and cause a high level ofdiscomfort. Furthermore when the wearer sits down, the compressive forceincreases in the crotch area and on the leg fold lines, whichintensifies the discomfort and may also restrict the blood circulation.The discomfort is undesirable; however, when the wearer needs to sit forextended hours, the discomfort may become intolerable.

Therefore, there is a need for pantyhose that provide control as well ascomfort.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The pantyhose of the present invention comprise a panty portionconnected to two leg portions. The panty portion comprises a reinforcedsegment and a non-reinforced segment, which are integrally knitted toeach other. The reinforced segment encircles the lower torso of a wearersubstantially covering the abdomen and the non-reinforced segment coversthe crotch area.

In one embodiment, the panty portion comprises a first panty portion anda second panty portion connected to each other along a seam lineextending down from the front of the waist terminating portion to thecrotch and extending up to the back of the waist terminating portion.

In another embodiment, the leg portions comprise a seam line startingfrom one leg terminating portion extending up to the crotch and backdown to the leg terminating portion of the other leg.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the front view of a pair of pantyhose of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the back view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates the footless version of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates the method by which the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 aremade.

FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates the method by which the embodiment of FIG. 5 is made.

FIG. 7 illustrates a buffering zone between the reinforced andnon-reinforced segments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a different panty shape for the pantyhose of thisinvention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a curved hip line.

FIG. 10 illustrates a yet another curved hip line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown front and back views ofcontrol top pantyhose 10 of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows thefootless version of FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIGS. 1-3 identical numeralsdepict the like elements.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the control top pantyhose 10 have a pantyportion 12 which is connected to a waist terminating portion 14. Thewaist terminating portion 14 can be an elastic band, knitted-in welt, orany other knitting process which can prevent the terminating edge fromunraveling and can hold the pantyhose on the wearer's body. For thepurpose of simplicity hereinafter, the waist terminating portion will bereferred to as waistband 14.

The panty portion 12 is also integrally connected to two leg portions 16a and 16 b at transition lines 18. Each transition line 18 representsthe location where the panty portion 12 ends and the leg portion starts.In other words, transition lines 18 represent where the panty portion 12connects to the leg portions 16 a and 16 b, but there is no need for anydistinct lines. For example in the toe to waist sheer pantyhose, thereare no transition lines. However, it is understood that any portionabove the location of lines 18 is considered the panty portion.

In the pantyhose 10, each leg portion 16 a and 16 b has a foot portion15 a and 15 b respectively for covering a foot of a wearer andtherefore, each leg portion 16 a and 16 b terminates at a toe seam line20 a and 20 b respectively. In the footless pantyhose 10′, each legportion 16 a′ and 16 b′ terminates at a leg band 21 a and 21 brespectively.

In conventional control top pantyhose, the entire panty portion from thewaistband to the transition line is reinforced.

Contrary to conventional pantyhose, the panty portion 12 has areinforced segment 22 and a non-reinforced segment 24. The reinforcedsegment 22 of the pantyhose 10 generally extends from the waistband 14to the hip line 26 and encircles the lower torso of a wearersubstantially covering the abdomen.

In this specification “the hip line 26” is defined as “a line encirclingthe body of the wearer while passing through two points A and B, each ofwhich representing the proximity of a location on the side of the legfrom which the leg bends” and “the crotch line 28” is defined as “ahorizontal line passing through the lowest point of the crotch”. Theproper distance between the hip lines 26 and the crotch line 28 dependson the size and the stretch factor of the pantyhose.

Since the reinforced segment 22 ends at the hip line 26, it does notcover the crotch area 30, the lower part of the buttocks, and the lowestpart of the abdomen. However, since the bulging of the abdomen usuallystarts from the general area represented by the hip line 26, thereinforced segment 22 substantially covers the abdomen and its problemarea.

The non-reinforced segment 24 generally extends from the hipline 26 tothe transition line 18 and encircles a wearer's body covering the crotcharea, lowest part of abdomen, leg fold lines 32 a and 32 b, and thelower portion of the buttocks. Therefore, the non-reinforced segment 24substantially reduces the compression force placed on the crotch area 30and the fold lines 32 a and 32 b by the conventional control toppantyhose.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-3, it should be noted that in thisspecification, what is referred to as the “crotch area” 30 is not agusset. Gusset 34, as shown in FIG. 3, is an extra piece that istypically sewn into the crotch area 30 to provide more comfort. Thecrotch area 30 may or may not include a gusset.

In this specification, the crotch area 30 is defined as an area in thevicinity of the crotch, which is integrally knitted into the pantyportion. Typically, the crotch area extends above the crotch line 28either in front or in the back or both in front and in the back by a fewinches. For example in an unworn pantyhose, the crotch area 30 extendsabove the crotch line 28 by about 2 to 3 inches and extends from theseam line 36 to each side by about 1 to 3 inches. However, differentsize pantyhose may have different measurements. The reason the abovemeasurements refer to unworn pantyhose is that once the pantyhose areworn, depending on the size of the wearer, the degree of stretch changesand the measurements become incompatible.

The crotch area 30 is entirely located in the non-reinforced segment 24.However, if a gusset is used, the gusset can be sized and sewn to thecrotch of the pantyhose in such a manner that it may or may not extendinto the reinforced segment 22. In other words, if a gusset is used, itwill be located in the non-reinforced segment 24 and a portion of it mayor may not extend into the reinforced segment 22.

Typically, the crotch area 30 receives a great amount of pulling tensionfrom the movements of the wearer, such as bending or sitting, andtherefore some designers may modify the construction of the pantyhose inthe crotch area 30 and call it reinforcing. This type of reinforcingtypically is accomplished, for example, by adding layers or stitches.

However, for the purpose of clarification, in this specification theword “reinforced” is used as “a pantyhose material with a highcompression factor or greater resistance to stretch for the purpose ofsculpting or shaping the body of a wearer” created by “using high denierelastic yarns typically in the range of about 60 to 560 denier.”

The non-reinforced segment is defined as “a pantyhose material with alow compression factor or a lower resistance to stretch which does nothave enough compression factor to sculpt or shape the body of a wearer”created by “using low denier elastic yarns typically with a denier lessthan 60.”

Furthermore, in this specification “elastic yarn” is defined as“elastomeric yarns, such as spandex, which have the capability tostretch, but present a degree of resistance to stretch and oncestretched, they contract from the stretched position with a degree ofpower.” This power is what creates the compression factor. Typically tocreate a reinforced pantyhose material, a body yarn such as nylon iscoupled with an elastic yarn. Depending on the denier of the elasticyarn different levels of stretch resistance or compression factors andtherefore different levels of reinforcement can be created.

In contrast stretch yarns, such as nylon, which are typically used asbody yarns, can stretch and contract, but do not exert power, which isrequired for sculpting or shaping a body.

Both the reinforced and non-reinforced segments 22 and 24 of the pantyportion 12 have a common body yarn of 40 denier nylon to create asimilar opacity, but if one desires, different body yarns can be used tocreate different opacities between the two segments 22 and 24.Alternatively, any other body yarn with any denier suitable for controltop pantyhose can also be used. In addition, the reinforced segment 22has an 80 denier spandex and the non-reinforced segment 24 has a 40denier spandex.

The leg portions 16 a and 16 b of pantyhose 10 have a body yarn of 20denier nylon coupled with a 20 denier spandex. However, any type of bodyyarn or elastic yarn suitable for sheer or opaque pantyhose can also beused. The legs 16′a and 16′b of the footless pantyhose 10′ are made of40 denier nylon body yarn to keep the same opacity between the pantyportion and the leg portions. However, any type of body yarn suitablefor sheer or opaque footless pantyhose can also be used.

It should also be noted that in this specification, reinforced, control,and support shall all mean the same.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pantyhose 10 and 10′ of FIGS. 1-3 are made witha circular knitting machine, which creates two seamless tubular blanks10 a and 10 b. In tubular blanks 10 a and 10 b, the leg portions 16 aand 16 b are integrally knitted to their panty portions 12 a and 12 brespectively and in panty portions 12 a and 12 b, the reinforced segment22 a and 22 b are integrally knitted to their non-reinforced segments 24a and 24 b respectively. The reinforced segments 22 a and 22 b areintegrally knitted to the waistbands 14 a and 14 b respectively and thenon-reinforced segments 24 a and 24 b are integrally knitted to the legportions 16 a and 16 b respectively.

The tubular pantyhose 10 a and 10 b are slit through their waistband 14a and 14 b, the reinforced segment 22 a and 22 b, and through apredetermined amount of the non-reinforced segment 24 a and 24 brespectively. The slit edges 35 are joined together along the seam line36, which extends from the front of waistband 14 down to the crotch area30 and then up to the waistband 14, to create the pantyhose 10 or 10′ ofFIGS. 1-3. Alternatively, a gusset can be made as a separate piece froma cotton yarn or with a cotton lining and sewn to the crotch area 30.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment 40 of thisinvention, made with a different circular knitting machine, whichcreates one tubular blank 41 as shown in FIG. 6. Referring to both FIGS.5 and 6, the pantyhose 40 are similar to the pantyhose 10 and 10′ ofFIGS. 1-3. However, the seam 42 of the pantyhose 40 is located in theleg portions 44 a and 44 b.

The tubular blank 41 which is large enough to hold the lower torso of awearer, has a waistband 54 and a one piece leg band 46. To make apantyhose from the tubular blank 41, it is cut through the leg band 46,leg area 44, and a predetermined amount in the non-reinforced segment 52both in front and the back. Subsequently, the corresponding cut edges 49are joined together along the seam 42 to create the two legs 44 a and 44b. The seam line 42 extends up from the leg band 46 a to the crotch andback down to the leg band 46 b.

It should be noted that for simplicity the pantyhose 40 are shown asfootless pantyhose. However, the pantyhose 40 can be made to have footportions to cover the feet of the wearer in which case the seam line 42extends to the toe seam line at the feet.

The panty portion 48 of the pantyhose 40 has a reinforced segment 50which is integrally knitted to a non-reinforced segment 52 within thetubular blank 41. The reinforced segment 50 generally extends from thewaistband 54 to the hip line 56 and the non-reinforced segment 52generally extends from the hip line 56 to the transition line 58.

It should be noted that in this specification, “integrally knitted toeach other” shall mean “both segments are knitted into one tubularblank”, which means they can either abut each other or can have abuffering zone 55 as shown in FIG. 7. In FIGS. 7-10 and FIGS. 1-3,identical numerals depict the like elements. A buffering zone can alsobe used between the reinforced segment and the waistband or between thenon-reinforced segment and the leg portions.

If a buffering zone 55 is used, it can have different characteristics.The buffering zone can have different stitch patterns or yarn selectionwith any denier. In other words, each buffering zone can have differentelastic or body yarns with any denier, or can have a gradual change ofdenier, which can create gradual change of reinforcement or compression.Furthermore, the buffering zone can be knitted with just the body yarnwithout the use of any elastic yarns. In addition, the buffering zonescan be used with different embodiments of this invention.

The panty portion of the embodiments of 10,10′, and 40 are shaped likeshorts. However, it is possible to apply the present invention topantyhose with a panty portion that is shaped like bikini panties asshown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the reinforced segment 22 is similar to thereinforced segment of the pantyhose 10 of FIG. 1. However, thenon-reinforced segment 57 ends at the fold lines 32 a and 32 b fromwhich the legs 59 a and 59 b start. In this type of pantyhose again thereinforced segment 22 encircles the body extending from the waistband tothe hip line 26 and the non-reinforced segment 57, which holds thecrotch, extends from the hip line 26 to the crotch line 28.

In FIGS. 1-5, the reinforced segments 22 and 50 are shown to end on astraight line. However, different variations can also be used. Forexample, referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a reinforced segment 22′ or 22″can end on a curved hip line such as hip lines 26′ or 26″. The curvedhip lines 26′ or 26″ can be used either in front or the back, or both infront and the back.

It should be noted that both the reinforced and the non-reinforcedsegments, in all the embodiments of the present invention, can have oneor more stitch patterns, one or more body yarns, and one or more elasticyarns with different characteristics. For example, the area slightlyabove or below the crotch lines in the above embodiments, can be knittedwith 2×1 rib pattern to strengthen the crotch area.

It should be noted that numerous changes in details of construction,combination, and arrangement of elements may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the true spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

1. A control top pantyhose comprising: a panty portion integrallyknitted to a waistband including a knitted-in welt and to two legportions; the panty portion having a reinforced segment, anon-reinforced segment, and a crotch area located in the non-reinforcedsegment; the reinforced segment and the non-reinforced segment beingintegrally knitted to each other along a hip line; the hip lineencircling the panty portion and being located above the crotch area;the reinforced segment being comprised of at least one type of elasticyarn having a range approximately from a first denier to approximately asecond denier; the non-reinforced segment being comprised of at leastone type of elastic yarn having a denier less than the first denier; andwherein the second denier is greater than the first denier.
 2. Thecontrol top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the first denier is
 60. 3. Thecontrol top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the second denier is
 560. 4.The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the reinforced segment isentirely located between the waistband and the hip line, and thenon-reinforced segment covers the panty portion located below the hipline.
 5. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the waistband hasa front and a back and the panty portion further comprises a first pantyportion and a second panty portion connected to each other along a seamline extending down from the front of the waistband to the crotch andextending up to the back of the waistband.
 6. The control top pantyhoseof claim 5, wherein the first and second panty portions are connected toa first leg portion and a second leg portions respectively and each oneof the first and second panty portion is knitted with a portion of thereinforced segment and a portion of the non-reinforced segment.
 7. Thecontrol top pantyhose of claim 6, wherein the pantyhose are footless. 8.The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein each leg portion isconnected to a leg terminating portion and the leg portions comprise aseam starting from one leg terminating portion extending up to thecrotch and back down to the leg terminating portion of the other leg. 9.The control top pantyhose of claim 8, wherein the pantyhose arefootless.
 10. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein both thereinforced segment and non-reinforced segments encircle the pantyportion.
 11. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein the hip lineis a curved line.
 12. The control top pantyhose of claim 1, wherein thepanty portion is shaped like shorts.
 13. The control top pantyhose ofclaim 1, wherein the panty portion is shaped like bikini panties.
 14. Acontrol top pantyhose comprising: a panty portion integrally knitted toa waistband including a knitted-in welt and to two leg portions; thepanty portion having a reinforced segment, a non-reinforced segment, anda crotch area located in the non-reinforced segment; the reinforcedsegment and the non-reinforced segment being integrally knitted to eachother along a hip line; the hip line encircling the panty portion andbeing located above the crotch area; the reinforced segment beingcomprised of at least one type of elastic yarn having a denier greaterthan a first denier; and the non-reinforced segment being comprised ofat least one type of elastic yarn having a denier less than the firstdenier.
 15. The control top pantyhose of claim 14, wherein the firstdenier is
 60. 16. A control top pantyhose comprising: a panty portionintegrally knitted to a waistband including a knitted-in welt and to twoleg portions; the panty portion having a reinforced segment, anon-reinforced segment, and a crotch area located in the non-reinforcedsegment; the reinforced segment and the non-reinforced segment beingintegrally knitted to each other along a hip line; the hip lineencircling the panty portion and being located above the crotch area;the reinforced segment being comprised of at least one type of elasticyarn having a first denier; and the non-reinforced segment beingcomprised of at least one type of elastic yarn having a denier less thanthe first denier.
 17. The control top pantyhose of claim 16, wherein thefirst denier is 60.